With the opening of a new Compressed Natural Gas filling station in Knokke, DATS 24 has racked up 63 stations in its growing CNG refuelling network across Belgium. The company says this is the starting signal for the opening of 25 new sites where natural gas can be refuelled across Flanders and Wallonia.
Other locations include Sint-Truiden, Tienen, Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Wommelgem and Ronse alongside Eupen, Beyne-Heusay, Basecles, Ath, Thuin, Frameries, Amay, Nivelles and Tournai.
Cars powered by natural gas are always affordable, can be used by everyone and straightaway, contribute towards better air quality. The effect of this is that an increasing number of natural gas vehicles are being registered in Belgium.
By 2020, the number of CNG stations in Belgium should increase from 110 to 170. Almost all other fuel suppliers have started constructing CNG installations at their filling stations. In Europe, too, CNG is making rapid progress, with ambitious expansion plans in France (+250), Spain (+300), Germany (+1,000) and Italy (+300), and other countries.
According to a March 2018 study by the Commission for Electricity and Gas Regulation (CREG), driving on natural gas has an important role to play in the greening of our mobility:
“Based on this study, CNG appears to be a real alternative to traditional fuels and demonstrates its relevance both ecologically (sharp fall in fine particles and nitrogen oxides) and economically. In the context of the energy transition, it is important to remember the important contribution that natural gas could represent and encourage its use in the field of mobility. The gas and automotive sectors would also benefit from developing more communication campaigns on this subject.” (Source: www.creg.be/en)
The study also notes:
“Environmentally, compared to the EURO6 version of diesel and petrol engines, a substantial reduction (approximately 80 to 90%) in fine particles and nitrogen oxides is observed for CNG engines.”
“Air quality is deteriorating sharply in Belgium, especially in Flanders. Drivers want to be green, but with the same level comfort and at no extra cost. CNG vehicles certainly offer the huge advantage of being cheaper and drivable everywhere, as well as making a substantial contribution to a healthier living environment”, says Raf Flebus, Business Unit Manager of DATS 24.
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